Minnesota Timberwolves: Rubio wants to know why he was benched in loss to Nets

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio drives toward the basket for a layup against the Nets during the first quarter Wednesday at Target Center. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

Adding to another loss by the Timberwolves -- their seventh in the past eight games -- was Ricky Rubio's candid disappointment over not playing in the fourth quarter of a 91-83 loss to the Brooklyn Nets at Target Center on Wednesday night, Jan. 23.

It was the first time this season Rubio has not made an appearance in the fourth quarter, prompting Rubio to seek an explanation from head coach Terry Porter.

"I want to know what happened," Rubio said. "We're going to talk. 'TP' preferred to play the other players who were playing. I don't know what to say. I don't like it."

Twice in the fourth quarter, Rubio reported to the scorer's table as if he were going into the game. The first was during a timeout with 4:22 remaining and the Wolves trailing 82-74. It appeared Rubio was going in for J.J. Barea, who had played all of the quarter up to that point and had committed five fouls in the period.

Instead, Luke Ridnour replaced Mickael Gelabale. Moments later, Barea fell hard to the floor and appeared to suffer an injury to his thigh. Porter summoned Rubio again, waiting for a stoppage in play to send him into the game.

But Barea waved off his coach, then hit a three-pointer to cut Brooklyn's lead to 82-77 with 2:33 left -- and Rubio returned to the bench. Porter said his decision had more to do with Barea's performance than Rubio's.

"J.J. hit a shot," Porter said. "He hit a three. I was taking him out because I thought he was hurt but he said he was fine and made a shot.

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At that point, I just rolled with him. He was hot and made a shot. That was the only difference.

"It wasn't something Ricky did. It's tough decisions in regards to personnel at the end of games, based on who's hot and who's not hot. We talked about it and decided to go with J.J."

Barea scored seven of his 11 points, plus three assists and a steal in the period. But Barea also had serious trouble dealing with Nets reserve guard C.J. Watson, who scored nine of his 14 points in the quarter, including a three-pointer. Watson is the reason Barea picked up five fouls in just over three minutes.

Rubio and Ridnour also had their problems in containing Nets guards Deron Williams and Joe Johnson. The physical tandem combined for 36 points and 11 assists. Williams scored 11 of his points in the first half, mostly against Rubio.

The Wolves might have a bigger dilemma than Rubio not playing in the fourth. As a team, the Wolves had only six free-throw attempts, one more than the franchise-low for a single game.

As for Rubio's production, he finished with five points and six assists in 24 minutes, but his idle time in the fourth seemed to push his frustration to an unprecedented level.

Brooklyn raced out to a 20-8 lead in the first quarter before the Wolves regrouped and pulled to within three with 5:32 left in the fourth. The Wolves never got closer than that.

"It's hard for us to finish games," Rubio said. "We have to want to win. Sometimes it seems that we don't want to win."

Rubio's frustration is not surprising. His comeback from major knee sugery has been more agonizing that expected. It's the first time in his young career he has not been able to play to his capabilities. Sitting out the entire fourth quarter Wednesday night seemed to add more trauma for him.

On Tuesday, Rubio admitted that his left knee still hurts at times, and even at full strength, trying to defend quality guards such as Williams and Johnson is a challenge. Now, with his head coach, he faces a different challenge.